Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council warns residents about high bear activity; staff, Fish & Game may authorize dispatch
Summary
City staff reported increased habituated bear activity near town and at the landfill; officials urged bear‑aware practices and said Alaska Department of Fish & Game could authorize dispatch of problem bears if deterrence and enforcement fail.
City Manager Heidi told council staff had issued a public notice about elevated bear activity in Seldovia and reminded residents to secure trash, use bear‑proof containers, and remove attractants. She said the city had been coordinating with the VPSO and Alaska Department of Fish & Game and that, if deterrence fails, authorities may authorize dispatch of habituated bears rather than relocation.
"We are getting notice of a lot of a high bear activity in the community," the city manager said, urging residents to keep trash inside, use electric fencing for livestock and secure chicken feed. Council members and residents described recent encounters at the landfill and the dump, urged stronger deterrence practices (cracker shells and other scare tactics were discussed), and asked staff to confirm what deterrents contractors are authorized to use. Staff said they will follow up with the new borough landfill contractor and Fish & Game to coordinate deterrence and enforcement.
Why it matters: Multiple residents described feeling unsafe at the dump and near known attractant sites; habituated wildlife creates an immediate public‑safety problem that can require enforcement, community behavior change, and interagency coordination.
